Ireland Parliament votes to allow limited abortion

by Ani
1:36 mins

Ireland Parliament votes to allow limited abortion

by Ani
1:36 mins

Ireland's parliament voted to allow abortion under certain conditions for the first time, following months of polarising debate in the Catholic country including letters to the premier written in blood. Prime Minister Enda Kenny has provoked protest from both sides of the debate by pushing through a compromise that will allow abortion, but only when a woman's life is in danger. His governing party has faced down more rebels over the issue than it did over its harsh austerity measures. After a marathon debate that ran past midnight for the second night in row, lawmakers passed the bill by 127-31. The vote was greeted with applause.